Comic fan Jeffrey Babbit (b.1951) died on September 9, one day after being assaulted in Union Square in New York. Babbit was a frequent customer at the nearby Forbidden Planet and had attended every NY Comic Con. A retired train conductor, he was the sole caretaker for his 94 year old mother. According to police reports, he was attacked by 31 year old Lashawn Marten, who had announced he was going to punch the next white person he saw in the face. After being hit, Babbit fell to the ground and died the next day at Bellevue Hospital. Marten, who also hit two men who came to Babbit’s rescue, is being held on assault charges which will likely be upgraded.